Guwahati molestation: Metropolitan city to get police commiserate

Guwahati: Rattled by the horrific molestation incident in Guwahati on 9 July, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the city will be soon upgraded to a police commiserate system.

"I have signed the order today itself to make the Guwahati police administrtion into a commiserate," Gogoi said at a press conference in Guwahati.

Time to change. PTI

"But it will take some time as we need more vehicles and personnel for the purpose," the chief minister said.

He admitted that the city police failed to handle the 9 July incident with sensitivity.

"I myself admit that there were lapses made by the police. Even though there are shortages of vehicles and personnel, they should have done a better job," Gogoi said. He also handles the home portfolio in the state.

The chief minister denied that there was any delay in action on the police officials for allegedly mishandling the incident.

"This is a wrong conception. We cannot transfer or remove a person immediately. This will create a vacuum. After majority of the culprits are caught, we have taken action," he said.

Dispur police station sub-inspector Sobhan Baruah was suspended for dereliction of duty on Sunday while city senior superintendent of police Apurba Jiban Baruah was transferred out on Monday.

"On the very first day itself I ordered the DGP to take action. The order was executed at the right time," Gogoi said.

He said besides administrative changes "civil policing" is an important aspect for a safe society.

"We must also focus on civil policing involving citizens," the chief minister said.